Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 2

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.

John Perry

Question:

24 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether systems of continuous assessment can be developed for use in the leaving certificate; and the plans, if any, he has to develop this approach. [7271/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The 31 approved subjects in the leaving certificate curriculum are assessed in a variety of ways. In the case of 20 subjects assessment is by means of a terminal written examination, involving two examination papers in the case of English and mathematics, and one examination paper in the case of the other subjects. In the case of the five languages Irish, French, German, Spanish and Italian there is a combination of a terminal written examination, oral and aural examinations.

In the case of agricultural science and agricultural economics there is a written examination paper and a project while, in the case of engineering and construction studies there are three components, written, practical and project. Art has a written paper and three separate practical components while music has a written paper, an aural test and a practical performance test and, in some cases, depending on the elective chosen an additional written paper or portfolio.

In the case of the leaving certificate applied there is assessment at four key stages during the two year programme with a significant degree of the total of 100 credits – 67 credits – being attainable for course work. For the three Link modules in the leaving certificate vocational programme, 60% of the marks are attained for course work and 40% for a terminal written examination.

There is already therefore a varied approach to assessment across the range of programmes and subjects at leaving certificate. I would also refer the Deputy to my Department's recent discussion document on the junior certificate which provides an overview of many of the issues involved in assessment at second level.